Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

(picture link below article in case anyone doesn't want to see them)

DISABLED DOGS GET A LEG UP

May 16, 2007 -- Three high-spirited pups born without front legs are looking for a new leash on life after winding up in a Long Island shelter, where they're learning how to walk like people - standing up straight on their hind paws.

Carmen, Pablo and Venus, tiny 4-month-old Chihuahua siblings, have just stumps for front legs. But the big-eared, marble-eyed pups are otherwise healthy and full of life.

"They're happy, all right," said the dogs' foster mom, Donna Imhoff, a worker at the North Shore Animal League. "They don't know any different because they have each other and that's all they see."

The playful pups were born in rural Virginia in a litter of five, with two other, normal functioning dogs, said Joanne Yohannan, vice president for league's shelter operations. The backyard breeder dropped them off at a small local ASPCA, which transferred them to the Port Washington, L.I., shelter.

Venus, the tiniest pup, whose head is the color and shape of an egg, "almost flies because she's so light," said Imhoff, while "Carmen bounces around and [hops] like a little kangaroo."

By the time they're ready to go to a permanent home, the pups should be strong enough to walk.

But shelter officials are also talking to several companies that are coming up with custom-designed doggie wheelchairs for them - something that doesn't appear to exist for the front legs.

Officials are hoping to find someone who will make a surfer-style body glove that would grow with the pups, with a wheel in the center or one on each side.

The pups' condition is likely the result of inbreeding - a problem with backyard breeders and puppy mills, which can turn out animals with missing limbs, heart defects or weak, wobbly hips, Yohannan said.




Full article link
Disabled Puppies from BYB

Message edited 5/18/2007 8:20:27 AM.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

Beth O was just on TV this morning with the pups - adorable!!

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

oooh I wish I could save them.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

I wish we could take one- they are so cute- we aren't allowed to have dog in our building

(I didn't even pick up the kitten I adopted this week yet and I am already thinking about adding to the family- if you told me 6 months ago that I would have a cat and kitten by memerial day- I would have laughed at you!

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

I feel so bad for these little guys! I wish I could take all three. I believe they will be adopted as a family as they need eachother and lean on eachother.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

I think they're so adorable. I read another article that says they have to be adopted together (who would want to break them up?!) because they rely so much on each other.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

And why don't we want to buy dogs from Pet Stores?!!!!


Those poor babies

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

they are so cute. i was crying watchign the video. i want them all.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

I hope they find a wonderful, loving home

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

there is a link to a video about them on CNN.com!!

I cant figure out how to get the video link to post it here!!

Message edited 5/21/2007 1:21:39 PM.

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

I hope this works...
Link

Re: Puppies born from BYB without front legs now at north shore animal league (seems like there's hope!)

There was a puppy on "Cutest puppy in Boston" with the same disability... and it was a Chihuahua too. She learned to walk on her hind legs and she was the CUTEST thing EVER!